The twins and I traipsed through the woods in the same direction I had gone with Maddox on our walk. The movements were repetitive and soothing, almost making me forget that this could be an answer that could ruin my life. Research had been something I had always loved to do but I found myself afraid to even type that word into a search bar. If being a Siren was as dangerous as they had claimed, it was I didn't want ANYTHING to track that word back to me. I would need to go to the library and use the card catalog to be sure that nothing would be able to make a connection to me. The entire day I had stopped myself from making so much as a hum just in case it was true. The fact was that I hadn't been singing nearly as much since my eighteenth birthday and hadn't even hummed a chorus since my wings showed.

Caden helped me over a downed trunk stopping the repetitive movements bringing back the worry that had been hidden by my logistic plans. I could be hunted and killed just for the power possibly contained in my body. The guys could be in danger. They would try to protect me because they are stupid stupidly loyal guys. I couldn't do that to them.

We stopped just outside of a large rustic-looking cabin. Reality came crashing down around me like a waterpark-sized bucket of ice water. This was it. Certainty was just around the corner, and it would rip away the what-ifs. I knew on some level what the test would reveal as I thought back to that guy in the cafe with his girlfriend. He had obediently gone back to her just as I told him after he had heard me singing. I knew, but that didn't stop me from just hoping he was a run-of-the-mill shitty boyfriend.

Aiden and Caden simultaneously grabbed one of my hands before continuing the death march up the stairs and past the creaking porch through the large doorway that didn't feel very welcoming now. I felt like I was walking through the mouth of a monster ready to swallow me whole the moment I let my guard down. The other guys were already waiting in the large living room. Maddox was sitting in a large plush chair hunched forward with his chin clutched in his hands. Dante sat perched on the edge of the couch-jumping up to attention as soon as we walked into the room. He began his pacing. I knew he was just as anxious as I was. He was the protector of the group. His manic need to protect those he was loyal to making him wound up with the thought he couldn't do anything to fix this.

His emotions were so strong that images of him sitting there completely powerless as mobs converged on the guys and me. I walked up to him and placed a palm on his bicep. A shiver ran through his whole body, the physical show of his restraint from moving his circuit in the plush carpet. "It'll be okay," I reassured him emptily since we both knew it was most likely a lie.

He didn't point that out and I was grateful for that. He nodded in agreement even though I knew he didn't mean it. A long moment of silence passed before it was broken by Aiden, "So how are we going to do this?"

Dante smirked before straightening out his spine and seeming to exude confidence I knew he didn't truly have. "Well since this was Caden's idea I figured he was the one volunteering."

Caden scoffed, "Having a beautiful woman serenade me? Count me in!" He rubbed his hands together as he approached me.

When he stood before me looking at me expectantly, I glanced over towards Dante. "What exactly do I do? Just sing and tell him to do something?" I asked not wanting to mess up.

Dante thought about it and shrugged. "I think so. Nobody really knows anything about Siren powers."

I nodded before shaking out all of my muscles. "Any requests?" I directed the question to Caden this time.

He smiled "How about Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones?"

I rolled my eyes at the demon before aquessing with a slight nod. I took a deep breath and decided to just sing my favorite part rather than the whole song. The part that always stood out to me to say that not everything is as it seems. My mouth opened and the words spilled out. My voice was husky and the tempo faster than the original song. "Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name, oh yeah, But what's confusing you, Is just the nature of my game, Just as every cop is a criminal, And all the sinners saints, As heads is tails, Just call me Lucifer, 'cause I'm in need of some restraint." When I closed my mouth, my heart dropped a bit to see the glazed look in Caden's eyes.

I glanced over to Dante for more direction. "Now tell him to do something he wouldn't normally do." He urged.

I couldn't think of anything at first but then remembered my blackmail. I knew he had already let me punish him, but I couldn't think of anything else to have him do. I looked into Caden's eyes, "I want you to tell Dante what you called him after you stole his wallet while Maddox was sick."

Caden nodded in a dreamy sort of way before turning to Dante with a dopey smile on his face. "I called you Mr. Fluffy Butt after I stole your wallet and convinced Sage to return it for me," Caden told him in a slow way that sounded almost as if he was drugged.

"Well, I guess that answers that question," Aiden said before snapping his fingers in front of his brother's face.

Caden continued to stare blankly at Dante. Faster than anyone could react Dante pulled his hand back and slapped Caden hard. His head whipped to the side, and he reached up to cradle his quickly reddening cheek. "What the fuck was that for?" Caden growled bright green eyes locked on the smirking man currently rubbing the sting out of his palm.

"That was for calling me a fluffy butt but also to break you out of your trance." Dante shrugged.

Caden looked at me, "We had a deal." He pouted.

I shrugged, "He said to order you to do something you normally wouldn't. It was that or have you kiss your brother." I shrugged.

He paused, contemplating for a moment, "Thank you for making the right decision."

"You're welcome." I nodded in superiority but faltered as the realization of what this meant fell heavily onto my shoulders.

"Hey, I'll have you know that I am a fantastic kisser," Aiden said indignantly.

Caden's lips and nose curled at the thought. "We shared a womb for nine months. I think kissing crosses the line."

Aiden stopped being offended to realize what he was trying to argue. He scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, I'm a sex demon and even I don't want to cross that line."

Maddox stood from his chair and approached the rest of us, closing a circle I hadn't realized we were forming, "What now?" He asked.

I bit the inside of my cheek hard trying to come up with some sort of confidence for my next plan of action. "You guys should stay away from me. It's not safe to be my friend." I backed out of the circle trying to distance myself from them both physically and mentally.

"Fuck that," Aiden said automatically.

Maddox shook his head in denial. Dante took a deep breath ready to say something demanding and likely smart but he didn't manage to get a word in before Caden lost his mind. "No!" He stalked towards me, eyes bright green and horns growing off his head.

I retreated but he followed until I was backed against the wall and there were only the shirts on our bodies separating us. He leaned down his face only inches from mine. "You are mine!" He growled.

I sighed looking away from his intensely glowing eyes. "I'm a person. You can't own me." I repeated Aiden's mantra for him.

His warm hand griped under my chin. His thumb on one side, fingers on the other, and his palm rested over my throat. He pushed up holding my face in place with my head pressed back against the wall. "The fuck I can't. You are ours. We will keep you safe." He growled so close to my face that I could feel his breath against my skin.

I tried to turn my face away, but his grip wouldn't allow it. "It's safer if I stay away from you," I growl back at him.

"Safer for us, not for you! We need to stick together so you can be safer." He leaned in even closer to growl into my face.

When I went to reply with even more anger, he stopped me. I was startled by the firm press of his lips against mine. A gasp escaped me, and he took that opportunity to deepen the kiss. His tongue tangled with mine, his hand leaving my chin and tangling with the hair at the nape of my neck instead. His grip shifted tilting my head for better access. My hands raised to grip the fabric of his shirt. His other hand gripped my hip pulling me in closer. My back curved to accommodate the pressure of his hold and his hand left my hip and wrapped around my waist. He kissed me until I was dazed and confused. When he pulled away from me my mind was fuzzy, and I had forgotten what we had been arguing about. "Settled?" He demanded to know.

I nodded my fingers rising to brush against my swollen lips. "Good." He grunted pulling me against his chest for a hug.

When my hormones calmed down, I was able to think clearly. I wasn't thinking about leaving at the moment, but I was thinking about how twisted and complicated our relationships had continued to grow. For once I wanted to just be selfish and stay with them. My whole life had been spent making sacrifices for others. My parents, Cara, and now my father's will. I wanted to do something for just me for once. They wanted me to stay, and they understood this world way better than I ever would. So why shouldn't I? I finally felt like I belonged somewhere, and I didn't want to give that up just yet. I knew if there was no other way, I would leave them. To protect them I would give up the loyalty and belonging that being with them held. Their safety meant more than mine in the end. I needed to make sure they were protected. If my powers were as strong as they alluded to, maybe I could protect them from other things until my species became known to the rest of the Arcane community.

In that moment held tightly against Caden's chest, I made a promise to keep them safe no matter what. Even if their safety came from distance from me. Even if I had to stalk them from the shadows to be sure of their wellbeing. Nothing would get in the way of them living their lives, not even me.